If I'm wrong, I'll buy us a couple of Kobe steaks to mark our deep respect for the animal rights movement.

"Do you know what a Kobe steak is?"

They said how busy they've been calling up customers who had asked to be notified as soon as the Kobe steaks arrived.

A hot Kobe steak, say, with Magellanic frettage on the side and a bowl of ice cold??

The Old Homestead sells 100 to 110 Kobe steaks a week.

But Kobe steak, with the same sides, was overly chewy and lacked the flavor of what should be (at $55) top-quality beef.

As if to demonstrate how far she has come, seven waiters arrived to lay down plates of chops and $120 Kobe steaks.

In Tokyo restaurants, a Kobe steak costs as much as $200.

Reaction from the affluent eaters who have sampled Kobe steaks has been positive.

Steady patrons who crave something different are most likely to order Kobe steaks.